😍 😍 😍

With an A-list cast including Chadwick Boseman, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett and Daniel Kaluuya, it was tough to imagine ‘Black Panther’ was going to be anything short of excellent.

Fortunately, early reviews seem to suggest this to be the case too, as critics are already hailing it as a fresh and exciting addition to the Marvel universe.

Although full reviews are yet to be published, several film buffs saw the film at its premiere on Monday (29 January), and they’re unanimous in their praise, both in terms of the representation of black actors and the plot:

#BlackPanther is simply awesome. Extremely bold and as touching as it is thrilling, it boasts GOT-style intrigue, crazy innovative action and a deep bench of memorable characters. Top 5 all-time Marvel movie, easy. More later. pic.twitter.com/mmz8Nuf1sy

Black Panther is the best MCU movie ever. I was blown away from start to finish and I’m not even being biased. This was by far the best marvel movie to date. Thank you, Ryan Coogler! #BlackPantherpic.twitter.com/8Qh0hlOYAb

I still can’t believe this movie exists. Coogler did something so unique, different, and important for not only the MCU, but superhero films in general. Also, the action is just outstanding. I’m just floored by what was accomplished here. This is a cultural event. #BlackPanther

BLACK PANTHER is like a Marvel movie, but better. the action is predictably awful, but this is the first MCU film that has an actual sense of identity & history & musicality. Wakanda is alive. whole cast is great but the women (and the war rhinos) steal the show — Danai Gurira!

Black Panther looks, feels and sounds unlike any Marvel film to date. A visual feast. Wakanda is amazingly realized, the antagonist actually has an arc with emotional motivations. Marvels most political movie. So good. #BlackPanther

BLACK PANTHER is incredible, kinetic, purposeful. A superhero movie about why representation & identity matters, and how tragic it is when those things are denied to people. The 1st MCU movie about something real; Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger had me weeping and he’s the VILLAIN

BLACK PANTHER. Incredible. Real world building with Wakanda. Great mythology building around the Black Panther. Solid character development. Top notch action. Great narrative. Wonderful villain (rare for Marvel). Killer soundtrack. Fav MCU film since Civil War.

Based on the superhero franchise of the same name, ‘Black Panther’ stars Chadwick Boseman as the titular protagonist, who first made his debut in the role in 2016’s ‘Captain America: Civil War’.

As you can see, his performance in particular has been singled for praise, as have the female members of the cast, and Michael B Jordan, who plays the antagonist Erik “Killmonger” Stevens.

With early reviews this glowing, it’s fair to assume that ‘Black Panther’ will be getting a sequel at some point in the not-too-distant future, while Chadwick will reprise the role of T’Challa (aka Black Panther) later this year, in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, which will also star Marvel actors Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Josh Brolin and Tom Hiddleston.

‘Black Panther’ hits UK cinemas on Tuesday 13 February. Check out all the pics from the film’s A-list premiere here.